Grass doesn’t always have to be greener

Walking around town recently, I encountered one of those “Caution, Pesticide Application, Keep Off” signs. When I spot these little yellow placards of doom I get anxious.

My walk turns into a run, and I hold my breath until I clear the area. It’s not that I actually think that I can protect myself during those few seconds as a passerby. It’s more a visceral need to get away from the evidence that some people still have a higher regard for their lawn than for our collective well-being.

Walking around town recently, I encountered one of those “Caution, Pesticide Application, Keep Off” signs. When I spot these little yellow placards of doom I get anxious.

My walk turns into a run, and I hold my breath until I clear the area. It’s not that I actually think that I can protect myself during those few seconds as a passerby. It’s more a visceral need to get away from the evidence that some people still have a higher regard for their lawn than for our collective well-being.

What drives our high regard for lawns anyway? No one seems particularly happy to work on their lawn. In fact, it’s one of the biggest complaints I hear among my homeowner peers come springtime. It certainly doesn’t conjure up the joy of other outdoor pursuits like gardening. And I haven’t heard of any lawn care social clubs. It’s also not something that we sit around the dinner table to discuss over a glass of wine. Why, then, do we even have lawns if they take so much work and suck our resources? It also makes me wonder if environmentally friendly lawn care practices are a little like adding a filter to a cigarette without acknowledging the real danger of smoking.

The concept of cultivating grass in America is not much more than a century-long marketing project. The origins trace back to a desire to emulate upper-crust Europeans in the mid 1800s, followed by some heavy marketing by the USDA and US Golf Association in the early 1900s, and made possible to the masses by left-over chemical warfare technology post-World War II. Not exactly reasons relevant to the present day. And certainly not enough reason to ignore the proven health and ecological dangers we face in favor of an antiquated ideal.

Most lawns never get enjoyed or even used. Parallel to the simplicity mantra “If you haven’t worn it for a year, get rid of it”, it is time to task ourselves with the challenge: If we have not enjoyed our lawns to an extent greater than our efforts to seed, water, fertilize, mow, rake, manicure, trim, lay sod, weed and spray with chemicals, then it is time to let them go.

I am not entirely anti-lawn. Grass creates texture and depth in our landscape. We play sports and picnic on it. And it makes a comfortable blanket for late-night star-gazing. After all, grass is a plant. And plants absorb CO2 from our atmosphere. As with most things in life, however, the problems arise when we force the unnatural and gorge to excess.

So what is an excessively large lawn? If it requires fertilizing and pesticides, if it needs to be groomed with power tools and mowers, if it needs irrigation systems to keep it thriving, then it is excessive and fundamentally unsustainable.

The options for redefining our landscapes in favor of productive, meaningful, and green alternatives are plenty. These options are harmonious and, I believe, cultured. A new ideal.

A logical starting point is to replace grass in some areas with more sustainable plantings. Native plants that are appropriate for the place (wet, rocky, shady, etc.) are most fitting. They typically require less intervention, efficiently use water and promote biodiversity. The American Beauties collection, a project through the National Wildlife Federation, makes it easy to go native by providing specific plant types, planting tips, landscape plans and a list of garden centers which carry the plants.

Even conservationist gardeners don’t limit their choices to natives though. As long as plantings aren’t invasive, any plants from ground covers to shrubs to trees that are adequate for site conditions can make a difference. Also, keeping soil healthy by adding organic matter and mulching (which prevents evaporation) can significantly help in conserving water.

Another aspect of the de-lawning movement which I find to be the most compelling is the re-emergence of the backyard fruit, vegetable and herb garden. By addressing not only environmental degradation, but food production, community interaction and inherent self-sustainability, I believe this step truly takes the green movement to a whole new level. Plus there is much joy to be had around the growing, harvesting and preparation of food (glorious food!)

In my family’s yard we have begun to replace sections of our lawn with plantings as our budget allows. We are absolutely hooked and are continuing the process, with the goal of saving only one small parcel of grass for the kids to play on.

The monotony of our boring and unused front yard grass has been replaced with plants that require no work and yet stimulate my senses every time I walk outside. Another example of how a sustainable life is a better life.

JoAnn Mirise lives and writes in Cohasset. Cohasset Village Greenery and Every Bloomin’ Thing carry American Beauties Native Plants.